Somerville Street Improvement Project

[pch1.livejournal.com]

While it's certainly not uncommon for me to be clueless as to the redevelopment going on around me in Davis I was kind of surprised when I got a notice of the Somerville Street Improvement Project starting in Davis next week. I'm certainly all for the improvement of the streets and sidewalks of my neighborhood, but was shocked to learn they're going to be replacing the charming red brick sidewalks with poured concrete. Anyone know more about this?

Comments

[ron_newman]

Can you link to this notice? I have not seen it.

The red brick sidewalks are charming but they are also perilous, with many loose and uneven bricks.

[pch1.livejournal.com]

Sorry Ron, I found out through a flyer taped to the door of my store on Highland Ave. It didn't mention anything about the removal of the brick, just to expect construction in the coming weeks. Learned about the brick removal when a project worker stopped by the store to discuss the project (set to start on the 18th). I couldn't find anything on the city website on the upcoming construction page.

[ron_newman]

What store on Highland (or at least, what block)?

[pch1.livejournal.com]

D Squared (409 Highland)

[ayelle.livejournal.com]

Oh thank god, those bricks are a hazard. Attractive and charming, yes, but murder on anyone in a wheelchair -- and the number of times I have seen people with crutches or canes fall right down due to hitting a crack or loose brick... of course concrete can have cracks too, any kind of sidewalk needs to be maintained. But FWIW I don't think there's any debate in disability communities that brick and cobblestone are the worst possible options for people with mobility impairments.

[pch1.livejournal.com]

Had not thought of this, and I appreciate your input. I guess I never realized the inconvenience it was in it's current state. Thanks for the wake up call, though I'll still miss it's former charm.

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

brick is also very very very slippery when it's wet or just a little slushy....

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Or, heck, for people wearing heels or people pushing strollers, too. Brick sidewalks have long since become not-charming to me due to their comprehensive inconvenience for so many people.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Brick sidewalks are why I try never to wear heels when walking outside.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

I think the new plan is concrete on the main path for ADA compliance, with brick edging for 'charm', like in the picture part way down the page http://www.somervillema.gov/davissquarestreetscape. I think this is what they did on lower Broadway.

[etana.livejournal.com]

I love when the old charm can be kept yet still be accessible - as with edging. I mean store owners rarely think of accessibility (I'm looking at you - stores with a step-up, stores with glass doors but no metal plate at the bottom, no automatic door openers, narrow aisles, crowded sidewalks out front with signs and such) but the actual footpaths?! Those cant be about charm.

See also: Beacon Hill

#ivetippedwhileusingmywheelchairindavis

[serious-noir.livejournal.com]

I just saw a hand-written sign outside of Magpie about "brick removal".

First I had heard of it.

I understand some of the prior comments about bricks being "unsafe". They do require correct installation and proper maintenance, and from the condition of some of the sidewalks neither was done. (e.g. if there is a concrete underlayment, there is *no* reason for a brick sidewalk to bow and ripple).

Also bricks can be abused: like the firetrucks I have repeated;y seen park half on the sidewalk in front of the public parking lot next to Downtown Liquors while the firemen run into Christo's (one assumes...). That entire section of brick sidewalk is bowed and cracked from the weight of the trucks.

But I guess this "brick replacement" is a done deal?

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

The latest plan on the city's website is from 2014:
http://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/somerville-by-design-update-05-09-2014.pdf

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

They have been talking about this for years. Construction was supposed to have started last fall according to this timeline: http://www.somervillebydesign.com/planning/neighborhood-planning/davis-square/

The bricks are 'quaint' looking, but they're not that old. They were added in the 70's or 80's.

[lancedavisward6.livejournal.com]

Just a quick clarification. I'm told that the upcoming work is an interim step, rather than the final concept envisioned in the Streetscapes plans. As we learned at the last ResiStat meeting, that work will come later, after any stormwater system repairs are completed. Until that happens, the brick will be replaced with traditional concrete. The current work is necessitated by preventative repairs to the roadway, as well as improving accessibility. I'm still chasing down clarification on exactly what areas are to be replaced in the near term.

[ron_newman]

Can you find out if this construction includes the sidewalk in front of Citizens Bank? That has so many loose bricks.

[lancedavisward6.livejournal.com]

Per the Commissioner of Public Works, the Highland Ave. section is the only one that they are doing. The bricks will be saved to use for repairs on the remaining brick areas. Related: I did submit a Board Order (http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=2202&MediaPosition=2931.157&ID=13534&CssClass=) in March for repairs throughout the Square (the reference to Statue Park was because that area was specifically raised to me by a constituent).

To reiterate what I've stated previously, this is *not* the Davis Square Streetscapes Initiative (which, as proposed, would include a concrete travel area with brick trim in the new sidewalk design). This is, again, per the Commissioner, a short term replacement necessitated by the need to do preventative work on that section of the roadway.

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

Just happened upon this, and it made me laugh. Throwback Thursday: When Beacon Hill’s Sidewalks Were Almost Paved

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/04/07/beacon-hill-battle-of-bricks/ (http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2016/04/07/beacon-hill-battle-of-bricks/)